The Press and Journal (Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire)
Nothing else matters
Rugby union: Townsend urges Warriors to go all out for win
Coach Gregor Townsend is confident his Glasgow players will focus solely on defeating Leicester Tigers today no matter what happens elsewhere with their Champions Cup rivals.
Warriors are hoping to secure a quarter-final berth for the first time when they travel south to Welford Road.
Victory against Aaron Mauger’s side will guarantee a place in the last eight as one of the three best group runners up, but they could also sneak into the knockout phase if results go their way.
With those matches all due to take place before Townsend’s team run out in the midlands, Glasgow will at least have the benefit of knowing exactly what is required of them when they take on the two-time former European champions.
The head coach will take nothing for granted and said: “We will know the permutations before we play, but we aim to go there and get a win. We know that will get us into the last eight and that is all we have prepared for.
“We’ve never won down there and we’re expecting a reaction from Leicester’s defeat to Racing 92 last week and their loss here earlier in the campaign.
“They are not going to do us any favours. They have a proud home record and will be playing in front of a big crowd.”
Glasgow passed up the chance to book qualification from Pool 1 last week when they lost narrowly to group winners Munster. The Glasgow coach will give the same 15 men who started the 14-12 defeat to the Limerick side the chance to redeem themselves against Tigers.
Townsend leapt to the defence of his players after Ireland scrum half Conor Murray accused Warriors of deliberately trying to injure him during the match.
With Munster facing an investigation after failing to follow concussion guidelines following an incident where Murray appeared to lose consciousness, Townsend suggested their Pro12 rivals were using the fresh row as a distraction tactic.
He said: “Conor is an excellent player, one of the best nines in the game. He didn’t have the best game last week but we put pressure on every player.
“Rugby is physical but you have to do things within the laws. That involves tackling and we were not penalised for anything last week.
“Clearly the pressure we put on them they did not enjoy.”